Guess I should be more specific in what I am looking for.

    A blade of 3"-3.7", a portion of which is serrated (in line or opposite side). I kind of like the SOG Mini Pentagon, but it's "daggerness" makes it unacceptable
Maintains edge well yet easy to sharpen. I like to use tungsten carbide a sit is quick and convenient but have stones into the 1,000's
Hardness of moderate strength as I am not going to be chopping wood or prying doors open with it.
Handle comfortable and secure even when wet
Decent hard sheath that clips to belt and holds tight to body and is easy to draw.

   Is this a w(h)et dream ? 

 Appreciate all of your suggestions

I've been eyeing these for a while, but never pulled the trigger yet

https://www.topsknives.com/knives/tactical/saw-02-special-asssault-weapon

https://www.topsknives.com/knives/tactical/lil-roughneck

https://www.topsknives.com/knives/tactical/delta-unit-3

https://www.topsknives.com/knives/tactical/c-a-t-200

The pentagon is illegal to carry here, double edged.
Partial serrated knives under 4 inches arent really all that popular because of the compromise of having both on a small edge. They usually end up in the clearance bin after the plain edge models sell out. That might work out in your favor if youre set on a combo edge.

 If it were me id get a plain edge fixed knife in a high carbide toothy steel like s30v that act as micro serrations, or high carbon steel thats easy to sharpen with a little ceramic rod, plus a small folding knife with full serrations for when i need it.
I have one of these and they are so tiny but dont feel undersized when its unfolded in your hand. https://www.knifecenter.com/item/CS20LTS/cold-steel-20lts-tuff-lite-folding-knife-serrated-blade-grivory-handles
cold steels tri ad lock system is rock solid. Its not the smoothest to deploy like a ball bearing flipper, but probably the closest folding action in toughness to a fixed blade.
 
Also those tungsten carbide sharpeners remove a lot of metal. Softer steels can be affected pretty quickly. Look at the picture i attached. The plain edge was raised higher than the serrated portion. The edge gets to be pretty thick at that point.

   Guess I should be more specific in what I am looking for.

    A blade of 3"-3.7", a portion of which is serrated (in line or opposite side). I kind of like the SOG Mini Pentagon, but it's "daggerness" makes it unacceptable
Maintains edge well yet easy to sharpen. I like to use tungsten carbide a sit is quick and convenient but have stones into the 1,000's
Hardness of moderate strength as I am not going to be chopping wood or prying doors open with it.
Handle comfortable and secure even when wet
Decent hard sheath that clips to belt and holds tight to body and is easy to draw.

   Is this a w(h)et dream ? 

 Appreciate all of your suggestions

   Guess I should be more specific in what I am looking for.

    A blade of 3"-3.7", a portion of which is serrated (in line or opposite side). I kind of like the SOG Mini Pentagon, but it's "daggerness" makes it unacceptable
Maintains edge well yet easy to sharpen. I like to use tungsten carbide a sit is quick and convenient but have stones into the 1,000's
Hardness of moderate strength as I am not going to be chopping wood or prying doors open with it.
Handle comfortable and secure even when wet
Decent hard sheath that clips to belt and holds tight to body and is easy to draw.

   Is this a w(h)et dream ? 

 Appreciate all of your suggestions

Recent experience has me looking closer at steels for knives, especially for fixed blades. For folders, I see value in different opening and locking systems, whereas for fixed, primary on the steel, particularly the corrosion resistance. I’ve been testing a couple of D2 steel blades recently and have noticed that they tend to show tarnish and start of corrosion much faster than steels like 154CM (keeping to similar line). I want to try more of VG-10.

Next would be S30V and S35VN, which I have a few folders. My next fixed will likely be a Bradford M390 or similar steel. I really want a Wharncliffe shape fixed as well, but those aren’t as common. Might try a Spyderco in VG-10, but for a use likely very different than yours.

Rocky - How about this one?

Benchmade - Steep Country 15008 Knife, Drop-Point Blade, Plain Edge, Satin Finish,... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MG1C0U4/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_i_HtPkCbK8XF30D

Now I'm looking at a ZT 0350 as a birthday present for my nephew who is a LEO. More of an EDC for him. I want to get him something good, but I dont want to break my wallet either.

now i'm looking at also the 0770 or the 0350 as a gift to my nephew.  I think either one will do nicely

now i'm looking at also the 0770 or the 0350 as a gift to my nephew.  I think either one will do nicely

I have a 770 that I carry quite often. It’s a pretty slim and lighter design compared to the 0350 (and 0562 and 0566). Let me know if you want to compare the three.

I have a 770 that I carry quite often. It’s a pretty slim and lighter design compared to the 0350 (and 0562 and 0566). Let me know if you want to compare the three.

Thanks. 

I received my Christmas gift, from myself, today.  I've been on and off looking for a non-flipper spanto XM-18 and I found a used one on eBay.

I ended up ordering the 0350 for my nephew, should be here by next week.  used a gift certificate I got for Christmas, so that helped.
his brother, who has the same birthday but different year, likes to cook so I got him this chef's knife.  https://www.bokerusa.com/kitchen-knives/boker-core/core-professional-chef-s-knife-130840?_dbl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bokerusa.com%2Fkitchen-knives%2Fboker-core%2F%3Fp%3D1
that should be here by next week too.

my family has 6 January birthdays, so after Christmas and January i'm pretty broke. 

I received my Christmas gift, from myself, today.  I've been on and off looking for a non-flipper spanto XM-18 and I found a used one on eBay.

Nice! Hinderers are still very much in my list, but not right now.

Why were you looking for the non-flipper version? The spanto design is quite interesting to me. At least while I get better at maintaining the tanto shape.

I ended up ordering the 0350 for my nephew, should be here by next week.  used a gift certificate I got for Christmas, so that helped.
his brother, who has the same birthday but different year, likes to cook so I got him this chef's knife.  https://www.bokerusa.com/kitchen-knives/boker-core/core-professional-chef-s-knife-130840?_dbl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bokerusa.com%2Fkitchen-knives%2Fboker-core%2F%3Fp%3D1
that should be here by next week too.

my family has 6 January birthdays, so after Christmas and January i'm pretty broke.

Awesome! You have some lucky nephews.

What swayed you to go with the 0350? Just curious.

Awesome! You have some lucky nephews.

What swayed you to go with the 0350? Just curious.

I don't know what my nephew would prefer, but I like the non-coated blade and the bigger G10 grips.  other than that I was going back and forth which one would be better. he's about 6' and 200 lbs so maybe the slightly larger grips would fit him better. but i'm sure either one he would appreciate.

I don't know what my nephew would prefer, but I like the non-coated blade and the bigger G10 grips.  other than that I was going back and forth which one would be better. he's about 6' and 200 lbs so maybe the slightly larger grips would fit him better. but i'm sure either one he would appreciate.

Ahh. Gotcha. Knives are a personal think and preferences and how they feel in the hand are important. That’s a very generous and thoughtful gift! I’m sure he’ll like it!

My aversion to recurve is due to my inexperience or lack of desire to maintain them. Similar to serrated edges. I still have a few partial serrated edge knives and while the serrated potion is useful, it’s not easy to sharpen.

I don't know what my nephew would prefer, but I like the non-coated blade and the bigger G10 grips.  other than that I was going back and forth which one would be better. he's about 6' and 200 lbs so maybe the slightly larger grips would fit him better. but i'm sure either one he would appreciate.

I just ordered one of those eafengrows you posted earlier. I'm not such a big fan of tip-up carry but will see how it works out.

I just ordered one of those eafengrows you posted earlier. I'm not such a big fan of tip-up carry but will see how it works out.

Why not a fan or tip up carry? I’ve tried both tip up and down as well as right and left hand sides.

I have gone to many assisted openers and many recommend tip up carry with blade opening toward seam of your pocket to avoid opening in pocket. I’ve never had a problem with knives opening in my pocket.

I just ordered one of those eafengrows you posted earlier. I'm not such a big fan of tip-up carry but will see how it works out.

let us know how it goes   

Have to give props to Blade HQ's CS.  I received one of their carrying cases with the stitching forming the slots for the individual knives missing.  I emailed their CS to arrange for return for inspection and I received a reply within hours from a CS manager with their apologies and a full refund.  I ended up ordering two more cases since I needed the case anyways and to meet the $99 min for free shipping 

Anyways, I've noticed that their pricing is usually very good and often the same or cheaper than on Amazon.  In that case, I would usually go with the known online vendor to reduce risk of counterfeits.  I have noticed that the pricing on many brands do vary, so have to keep an eye out on that. 

With the carrying cases, I picked up another Boker flipper.

https://www.bladehq.com/item--Boker-Plus-JB-Stout-Lateralus--71453

This one isn't as smooth as the Caracal, but I like how this blade feels in the hand, where you can get a nice forward grip.  While I'm happy with the two Bokers I have, I think that's it for me for a while.  I have these two D2 blades to test along with the few ZTs.  I've been using the Caracal quite a bit since I got it.  It seems to be holding the edge well, but have mostly just been cutting up cardboard and opening boxes.  I did notice that the D2 seems to be quite prone to corrosion and the oils from your hand will lead to discoloration on the blade if left for a while.  So need to be more careful on occasionally wiping down with oil here and there.  I don't mind, but think I will stick with more corrosion resistant steels like M390, S35VN, etc. 

Why were you looking for the non-flipper version? The spanto design is quite interesting to me. At least while I get better at maintaining the tanto shape.

I dont like the jimping on the handle of the ZT0560, when using the flipper tab. Thought it would be the same for the XM-18.

Then after picking up the Eklipse, the detent feels weak and doesn’t allow the blade to pop out. I preferred using the thumb studs.

I dont like the jimping on the handle of the ZT0560, when using the flipper tab. Thought it would be the same for the XM-18.

Then after picking up the Eklipse, the detent feels weak and doesn’t allow the blade to pop out. I preferred using the thumb studs.

Cool.  Interesting to hear about the difference preferences folks have with gear. 

Are you referring to the jimping on the blade or the frame/handle?  Seems like the XM-18 has similar jimping as the ZT 0560. 

I had gotten used to knives with thumb studs like the Benchmade Griptilian or similar with the axis lock.  They are quick to deploy with a flick to the wrist where you rotate the handle around the pivot pin, or using the "J open" method where you make a J in the air with the pivot pin end of the handle.  Some models can take some adjustment to get just right, but all of the Benchmades with axis lock that I have had were able to do so.  I found through combatives training that opening via the thumbstud wasn't as dependable, at least for me.  I'd miss the thumbstud or even sweaty hands made it more difficult to open.  The thumbstud on the Hinderers look quite smooth. 

I haven't found a good training knife with the flipper, but I like the flipper in that it seems more dependable opening (at least for me) and I also like that the flipper ends up being a hand/finger guard when open. 

I still have Benchmades with thumbstud models in the carry rotation, including assisted openers.  But I've been mostly sticking with the flipper openers (ZT and Boker).  Like many things, I probably should stick to one of the other if primarily for defensive use. 

Why not a fan or tip up carry? I’ve tried both tip up and down as well as right and left hand sides.

I have gone to many assisted openers and many recommend tip up carry with blade opening toward seam of your pocket to avoid opening in pocket. I’ve never had a problem with knives opening in my pocket.

I never meant Murphy but am well acquainted with his law.